Air-governed destination control for liquids



Sept. 11, 1928.

C. W. STANCLIFFE AIR GOVERNED DE STINATION CONTROL FOR LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 7106227: @ZZMJMW; Mg

Sept. 11, 11928.

c. w. STANCLIFFE AIR GOVERNED DESTINATION CONTROL FOR LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patentedsept. l1,

(men. w. sranomrrn; or srmonn. connnc'rrcur, nssrenon'rovanvnnnss "011L- BUBNEB CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK is. Y., A conronarron or 'nnw YORK.

nn-eovnannn nnsrina'rrcn com'nor. non mourns.

Application nqn m m as, 1925. Serial 30-52312.

The present invention relates to means for controlling the deliver of liquid to one or another of several di erent destinations or recipients. I have devised and developed the embodiments of the invention herein illus-' i trated for the purpose of controlling flow of oil to an oil burner, in order that oil may be caused to flow either to the 'burner when there is a demand for heat requiring the burner to be put intoaction, or inst ntly to a 'diflerent destination when the re uced demand for heat requires the flame of the burner to be extinguished or reduced. Hence in this specification I have shown and described thepresent invention as applied to the uses of an oil burner, and have'generally referred to the liquid which is controlled by such means as oil. It is to be understood, however, that such showing does not constitute a limitation as to the liquids which may be controlled by meansof the invention, or as to the destinations to-which the liquid: may. be directed or the uses to which it may be put. The object of'tlie invention is to provide a simple and effective means by which the liquid, may bediverted from one channel, path or course to another, automatically by the action of .air pressure, when the controlling air pressure is increased or diminished. In

,30 the present illustration I have shown two different embodiments of the invention, in one of which the energy of air under pressure is main'tank 13 and partly from the sum in varying proportions accordmg as t e oil converted. into kinetic or velocity energy and is so applied to the desired end, and in the other of which it is applied statically. I have also shown different uses to which either of such embodiments may be put. The invention consists in the means so illustrated and in all substantial equivalents thereof, in the 4 scope expressed by the following specification and in the appended claims.

In the annexed drawings, Fig. l-is a diagrammatic sectionalview illustrating the combination'and use of one 4 form of the invention in connectionwith oil burning equipment; Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the application of the other form or embodiment of the invention above referred to, to the same uses;

Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a diagrammatic side viewand a diagrammatic end view ofthe invention as applied to a specifically dlfierent use to that illustrated in Fig. 1;

F1gs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Figs. 4

and 5 respectively illustrating another anal-- ogous use. I

Like reference characters designate the same parts wherever they occur'in all the figures.

The drawings, nature, are .sufliciently complete and explicit, to show the principles of the invention fully and enable others skilled in the art to ap ly such principles in. the situations where ti iey while of a diagrammatic may be used. Such diagrams are preferable to working drawings of specific installations,

for the purposes of this specification, as more clearly and directly showing theseprinciples', and because the same principles may be embodied in many various constructions.

Now briefly describing the dia in Figs. 1 and 2, the reference c matter 10 represents an oilburner to which oil is delivered by a pipe 11 and airto support comam shown bustion is delivered by a pipe 12. The supply of oil is taken from a main or primary tank 13 by a pump 14, which draws through pipes 15 and 16, both of which are connected to a valve 17 having an inlet 18 in a second tank or sump 19. Valve 17 is controlled by a float 20 in the sump in such a manner that the ump is caused to take its supply partly f i'om the level in the sump is low or high. The delivery and of the pump is conducted by a pipe 21 to an open settling tank 22, in which the oil is allowed to become quiescent and free of air before being passed to the control device: An

overflow pipe 23 leads from-thesettling tank back to the sump 19 and conducts-away from the settling tank the excess of oil delivered by thev pump above the'jamoun-t which passes from the tank to the control device.

The control device consists of a vane or plate 25 associated with a second vane or plate 26 and mounted to swing about a horizontal axis established by trunnions 27, 27

supported in bearings28, 28. Thetwovanes are, cut

25 and 26 maybe, and preferably t ,or other from a single sheet or late of me suitable material having sufii'cient 'stifine'aa for the purpose in view and not liable tobe'a' it. 'The trunnions may be inte'gral projecsoftened by the effect of oil in contact with i tions at the ends of the same piece, or may ox, while preferable, is not essential, and the bearings may be mounted on any other suitable supporting structure. In any event, however, they are so mounted that the upper edge of the vane 25 lies in such proximit to the orifice of a discharge spout 30 in the ottom of the settling tank, (preferably directly beneath a vertically delivering spout), as to receive the liquid delivered therefrom.

In the box 29 is a transverse partition 31 which divides the lower part of the box into two compartments 32 and 33, from one of which the pipe 11 leads to the burner, and from the other of which there is a return pipe 34 leading back to the sump 19. When the vane 25 is in one of its positions, the oil which falls upon it from the spout 30 and falls from its lower end, passes to the compartment 32, and when it is in another position, the oil passes to the compartment 33, as later described. I have shown in this instance an intermediate device 35 between the vane 25 and the compartment 32. Such device is a U-tube having legs 35 and 35 of which the le 35 has a large mouth adapted to receive oi from the vane, and the leg 35 overhangs the partition 31 and has a spout or nozzle 35 adapted to deliver oil into the compartment 32. There is an overflow outlet at 35 from the leg 35, through which excess oil overflows 1nto the compartment 33. This device is a measuring cup for regulating the amount of oil which is delivered to the burner, and is essentially like the device for the same purpose shown in my companion application filed by me. It is angularly adjustable and is mounted for such adjustment on a pivot 36, sup orted in any suitable way in the ox 29, or ot ierwise. By thus adjusting this measuring device, the overflow outlet 35 and the highest point of the spout 35 may be placed either at the same level or at different levels, with either one higher than the other. Thereby all or any part of the oil delivered into the measuring device may be delivered to the burner, or all of the oil may be diverted from the burner; that proportion of the oil which does not pass out of the spout 35 passing over the overflow out let 35. The measuring device is placed where its leg 35 is at one side of the vertical plane through the pivotal axis of the vane 25, but is near enough to such plane to permit of the vane being placed over the entrance to such leg when the vane is deflected by an air jet of sufiicient force blowing against the vane 26.

Air for thus movin the vane is conducted from the pipe 12 by ranch 37, which leads into the box 29 and terminates in a nozzle 38 directed toward the vane 26. A damper 39 is contained in the air pipe 12 between the source of pressure and the pipe 37. It is to be understood that air underpressure is supplied from any suitable source to the air pipe 12. Such source, in the case of oil burning equipment for domestic heating purposes, and the like, is preferably an air compressor or blower driven by an electric motor, and delivering into the pipe 12. Other means for the same purpose may be used.

Control of the fire is given by the damper 39. "When this damper is open, air at the full predetermined pressure flows through the pipe 12 to the burner and a portion of the air is diverted through the branch pipe 37 and issues as a jet from the nozzle 38 impinging on the vane 26. Said vane, and the oil conducting vane connected with it, are deflected by the air jet, as shown in Fig. 2, bringing the lower end of the vane 25 over the entrance to the adjustable measuring device. The weight of the connected vanes and their position with respect to the measuring device 35 are designed in the right proportion to the air pressure, and to the force of the air jet issuing from the nozzle 38, to bring about this result. It is perfectly feasible by correct design of these elements thus to cause the end of vane 25 to position itself over the measuring device without other aids; but, if desired, an adjustable stop 40 may be mounted in a wall of the box 29 in position to engage the vane 26 and limit the deflection thereof so that the vane 25 will not be deflected too far, even though the force of the air jet is'grea-t enough to move it farther than necessary.

The oil flowing from the settling tank 22 falls upon the vane 25 and is conducted by gravity and capillary attraction along the surfaces of such vane to its lower end. Thence the oil falls in a stream to the measuring device when the vane is deflected, as shown in the drawings. More or less of the oil thus delivered, depending on the adjustment of the measuring device 35, passes to the compartment 32 and thence to the burner, the balance which does not so pass being led to the sump.

Now if the air supply to the burner is shut off, for instance by closing the damper 39, or by stoppage of the air compressor, etc., the jet issuing from the nozzle 38 is shut off at the same time, and the vanes fall back to the upright position shown in dotted lines in F ig. 2, where the vane 25 is at one side of the measuring device; and all the oil is then delivered into the compartment 33 and returned to the sump 19. Thus the oil delivery to the burner is shut off instantly at the same time with the air supply. a

The effect of deflecting the vane 25 in the manner described could be obtained caus- 'ing the air-jet to impin e on that vane; -but as the air jet might then b ow oif'niore or less of .-the structure and arrangement of the hereinabovc described may be made within" the scope of this invention. For instance, the vanes may be otherwise arranged than side by side in the same plane; they'may also be arranged and acted upon byother means than gravity to shift them when the air jet is shut off; but the construction here shown is simpler than other possible constructions and is therefore preferred. Again, the measuring device may be omitted and the compartmerits. and their'partition otherwise so arranged that the oil will'be'caused to flow disv rectly into the compartment 32, from which the burner supply pipe leads, when the vane is in one positionjand intotheother compare.--

ment directly when the vane is in another po-'=--- fi burner. In this case, the measuring device sition. Whatever variations may be made in these particulars, the fact remains that in any case the oil is delivered in a certain path to a certain recipient or destination when air ptessnre is applied to the oil leader, and in" another pathto a different recipient or destination when the air pressure is reduceda certain amount.

For the purpose of generic definition, the vane 25 may be called a leader, by the deflection of which'the course of the liquid 'controlled therebyis changed; or it may be considered as a switch device for deflecting the liquid'stream into different courses or channels. So also the vane 26'may be considered as a pressure impelled member'which is actuated by air pressure. and a. counter force, (gravity, etc.) to shift the leader or switch.

In the form of the invention just described,

the air pressure actsto the appointed end through transformation ofthe pressure energy into kinetic energy. Iwill now describewith 'reference'to Fig.3 a form of the invention in which theair pressure is applied staticallywith the a-id'of a sealing means which prevents its escape This embodiment may be used in connection with a b1irner,tank, an pump, as previously described. I have als provided here a box or chamber 29, in

-Which there is a pivotal adjustable measuring flow'pipe 43 which leads-tothe 811111 519. A.

nozzle 44rises from the bottom, of this chamber andits bore connects with the branch pipe 37 fromathe air pipe '12. An inverted cup 45 is contained in the chamber 42 and surrounds the nozzle 44. It-forms an aerometer sealedin the oil contained'within the chamber 42. On the top of the aerometer is mounted acup 46 beneath the outlet of thesettling tank 22. This cup has a spout or leader 47 projecting laterallytoward the partition 41 and terminating close to said partition. There is an opening 48 in the upper part of the partition from which a lip 49 projects overhanging the entrance to the measuring device 35. The bottom of the opening 48 is above the position occupied by the spout 47 when the aerometer is lowered, and below or level with such spout when the aerometer is raised.

In this device, when air under pressure is admitted to the burner, such pressure is transmitted through the branch pipe 37 and nozzle 44-into the aerometer, and raises the same to a-height up toor above the bottom -of opening 48. Then oil, which is constantly being discharged from the settling tank into the cup 46, is delivered from the outlet of the cup over the lip- 49 to the measuringdevice 35 and thenceto the compartment 32 and the performs the same-function and is used in the same way-as previously described. It may be'omitted, however, and so may the partition-3l and the pipe 34, if it is desired to have all of the oil which 'pasises through the opening 48 continue without regulation to theburner. p, i

' Now when the air pressure in the pipe 12 subsides, due to closing the damper 39 or othercause, the air pressure entrapped inthe aerometer 46 escapes through a bleeder outlet 50 .in the: top thereof, such outlet being much'smallerthan the capacity of the pipe- 37 and nozzle 44 to supply air, whereby it has no appreciable effect in reducing the air pressure within. the aerometer when air passesthereto through the nozzle. But when the-pressure is thus released, the aerometer descends, the leader '47 isbrought below the openingi48, and the oil which continues'to flow from the delivery tank outlet is discharged'into the chamber 42 and flows thence tothesumpfl I Inthis form of the device, the cup46 and its spout 47 form a leader or switch adapted to conduct oil either into the compartment 32, whence the oil flows to the burner, or-into' the sump; and the aerometer 45 is a pressure device 35, and two compartments 32 and 33' impelled member actuated by 'air pressure connected, by pipes 11 and 34, with the burner andsump, respectively. y

Beside the box 29,and separated therefrom by a' partition 41, is a chamber 42 adapted to contain oil up to a height limited by an overand the force of gravity to shift the leader or switch with the effect described.

In the broad aspect, of theinvention, the fact of primary importance in either case described is that liquid is directed intooneor another of'two or more possible different courses, by the effect or under the control of air pressure. It is readily apparent that instead of havin two extreme positions of the leader, in whic 1 it is put either by maximum air pressure or b no pressure at all (at least no pressure a ove the atmosphere), a greater number of positions may be provided for, in which the leader may be placed by pressures of various amounts.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a specifically different use to which the invention may be put, namely, that of filling under certain conditions'a. tank 51, from which there-isfa drain outlet 52 of smaller capacity than;.the flow conducted by the leader. Apipeyfifigextends into the tank 51, terminating neaiifthe bottom of the latter, and leads from a diaphragm chamber 54, at one side of a diaphragm 55, which is adapted to control an electric switch 56. The chamber at the other side of the diaphragm is connected with the air pipe 12 by a connection 57. A small opening 58 in the diaphragm permits-a constant flow of'air to the orifice of pipe 53, but not enough to prevent the air pressure beneath the diaphragm from raising it. v The pipe 37 for conducting air to the switch device is connected at 59 with the main airpipe, and is also connected with a branch 60 which leads into a cup or sum 61. 62 represents a fire pot in which the g leads back from the fire pot to the sum 61 for conducting away unburned fuel wiich may accumulate in the fire pot if the fire should go out or fail to ignite when the oil is turned on. Normally the air issuin from the air trunk at 59 flows through the ranch (30 and escapes from the orifice of that branch, having insufiicient pressure at the nozzle of the pipe 37 to deflect the leader into a position over the tank 51. Hence at such times theoil delivered to the leader falls at one side of the tank 51 into any sort of receptacle- When oil is delivered to the fire pot without being burned, it flows into the cup 61 and seals the branch 60. Then the air blows through pipe 37 and deflects the leader, causing oil tobe delivered to the tank 51 and to seal the pipe 53. Pressure then mounts in the diaphragm chamber above the dia hragm 55, until. it becomes so great that t e diaphragm can be no lon er held up by the pressure beneath it, an the diaphragm then moves and throws the switch. Evidently-the form of the invention controlled by static pressure is equally applicable here as the one controlled by the air et.

Figs. 6 and 7 show the use of the jet-impelled form of the invention forfilling a tank 64 which is periodically emptied by a syphon 65. in order to cause successive rising and falling of the liquid level in this tank. Here also the statically operated type of the invention may be equally well used.

urner is contained. A pipe 631 The last described instances of use of the invention obtain the same efi'ects as are described in a companion application filed by me, in which specifically diiferent means for obtaining such effects are described. They indicate the range of usefulness of the invention by illustrating two possible uses in addition to the one first described for illustration. Man also are possi le. In all such instances and uses there are two alternative courses, channels or paths in which liquid may flow. One of such paths is in a prescribed recipient (the measuring device 35,; compartment 32, tank 51, or the like), and the other path is outside of such recipient. A partition in each case stands between the two paths; whether such partition is a wall between two compartments (as the partition 31 or 41), or the wall of a receiver (the measuring device 35 or the tank 51 or 64).

' Wherever the terms air and air' pres sure are used in this specification, they include other gases and the pressures which ma be transmitted by gases or vapors as we 1 'as air specifically.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. The combination with liquid conducting means providing separated paths and a partition between said paths, of a container for liquid at a higher elevation than said partition and having an outlet, a switch device intermediate said outlet and said partition and being movable to guide liquid from the outlet to either of said paths, and means for applying the force of air pressure to said switch device for shifting it from one position to another.

2. The combination with liquid conducting means providing separated chanels. and a partition between said channels, of a contamer for liquid at a higher elevation than said partition and having an outlet, a switch device intermediate said outlet and said partition and being movable to guide liquid from theoutlet to either of said channels, said switch device being subjected to force tending constantly to hold it in one position and return it to said position after displacement, and means for applying the force of air pressure to said switch device in opposition to the before mentioned force.

3. The combination with a container for liquid having a delivery outlet and a recipient for liquid below said outlet, of a leader disposed beneath said outlet to receive liquid flowing therefrom and being movable into positions wherein it directs the flowing liquid ether into said recipient/or at one side thereof, and means for applying the force of air pressure to said leader so as to displace it from one to another of said positions.

.4. The combination with a container for other uses and combinations liquid havin a delivery outlet and a recipient for iquid below said outlet, of a leader disposed beneath said outlet to receive liquid flowing therefrom and being movable into positions wherein it directs the flowing liquid either into said recipient or at one side thereof, and means for applying the force of air pressure to said leader so as to displace it from one to another of said positions, said leader being acted upon by gravity for return to the previous position after such displacement by air pressure. i

5. The combination with a container for liquid having a delivery outlet, of a leader supported beneath said outlet toreceive the liquid falling therefrom and pivotally mounted adjacent to its upper extremity so that its lower extremity may be moved laterally, and means for applying the force of-an air jet to said leader for swinging the same so as to shift its lower end from one position into a difierent position. w

6. The combination with a container for liquid having a delivery outlet, of a leader vane and a connected air impingement vane pivot-ally hung so that the leader vane ex tends mainly below the pivot axis and is positioned to receive the liquid falling from said outlet, and means for directing a jet of air against said impingement vane for swinging the leader vane from one position to another.

7. In oil burning equipment, a tank for oil having an outlet, two recipients at a lower level than said tank, means for conducting oil from one of said recipients to an oil burner, a leader arranged to catch the oildelivered from said tank and being placeable" in difierent positions, in one of which it directs oil into the recipient from which the oil burner conduit leads, and in the other of which it delivers oil into the second recipient, said "leader being normally in the last -named position, means for supplying com-- bustion air under pressure to the burner, and

means for applying the pressure of said combustion air to place said leader in the first of the before named positions.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

CECIL W. STANCLIFFE. 

